Turning a Portfolio into an Experience

When an artist needs to impress art galleries, a basic portfolio won't cut it. They need something immersive, dynamic, and unforgettable; a site that makes their work feel as alive as it does in a gallery space. That's exactly what I built in just three days.

My client, a talented artist, needed a high-quality online portfolio to showcase their work to art galleries. But a standard portfolio site felt too static. To truly reflect their creativity, I designed a visually engaging experience that highlights their art in a way that grabs attention and makes a lasting impression.

1. A Tech Stack Designed for Speed and Impact

I chose a modern and efficient tech stack to ensure the website is not only beautiful but also fast and discoverable:

• Next.js - For lightning-fast rendering and SEO optimisation.
• TailwindCSS - To keep the design sleek, modern, and responsive.
• TypeScript - For code reliability and scalability.
• MongoDB + Resend - For a seamless contact form that automates emails.

Why these choices?

Next.js ensures server-side rendering and static site generation, optimising performance. TailwindCSS provides a leaner, utility-first approach for styling, reducing unnecessary CSS bloat. MongoDB and Resend make the contact system automated and easy to manage.

2. Key Features That Elevate the Portfolio

A portfolio should be more than just a gallery of images; it should tell a story. Here's how I made that happen:

• Dynamic Backgrounds - The background changes depending on the user's location within the site, switching seamlessly between images and videos.
• SEO-Optimised Pages - Meta tags, structured data, and fast loading times make this site discoverable by search engines.
• Automated Contact Form - Integrated with MongoDB and Resend to ensure the artist never misses an opportunity.
• Performance Optimisation - Lazy loading, optimised video playback, and efficient asset handling keep load times fast.

3. Tackling Challenges and Finding Solutions

A major challenge was making the site feel interactive and engaging, without compromising performance. The solution?

• Implemented smooth transitions to prevent jarring effects.
• Optimised video preloading to ensure fast load times.
• Used lazy loading to keep the site responsive and efficient.

Another challenge was ensuring that a highly visual site remains SEO-friendly. By leveraging Next.js built-in optimisations, I ensured the website loads fast and ranks well.

4. Showcasing Performance with Real Results

A website's performance is just as important as its design. Here's how the site scores on Google PageSpeed Insights:

For a more interactive look, check out the live demo here: emma-sian-davies.com

5. What This Project Achieved

This project taught me how to implement complex background transitions while maintaining performance. The final result?

• A stunning, immersive portfolio that highlights the artist's work.
• A website that loads fast, ranks well, and engages visitors.
• A smooth, modern UI that helps the artist stand out to art galleries.